Barcelona are 'searching for their next Yaya Toure' and are 'monitoring Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes' as they plot future midfield investment

11 months ago 50

Barcelona want to recruit a new defensive midfielder and have a list of targets
The club reportedly believe they need a player similar to former star Yaya Toure
Man City have dipped, but Gary Neville is WRONG to say they’re complacent - Listen to It's All Kicking Off

By Ryan Walker For Mailonline

Published: 21:56 GMT, 8 December 2023 | Updated: 23:53 GMT, 8 December 2023

Barcelona are searching for their next defensive midfielder that they hope will be similar to Yaya Toure in a bid to strengthen the club's first-team, according to reports.

The Spanish giants are targeting future investment, but are unlikely to spend heavily in the upcoming January transfer window due to their lavish summer spending.

Xavi's side have struggled in LaLiga this season, currently sitting third in the league standings behind leaders Real Madrid and surprise package Girona.

Barcelona believe problems in midfield and the lack of a star player that is able to operate as a defensive pivot are largely to blame, with the club hoping to unearth a player with similar attributes to Toure.

The now-retired midfielder played for both Barcelona and Manchester City during his prime, but called time on his established playing career six-years ago.

Barcelona are searching for their next defensive midfielder that they hope will be similar to Yaya Toure

Toure previously starred for Barcelona before eventually leaving to join Manchester City

Toure has moved into coaching since permanently leaving the pitch and is currently working as an assistant to Roberto Mancini with the Saudi Arabian national team.

However, previous employers at the Camp Nou haven't forgotten about the Ivorian and targets with a similar playing style to the 40-year-old are being targeted, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Newcastle playmaker Bruno Guimaraes has admirers at the Catalan club, while the likes of Monaco's Yousuf Fofana and Everton's Amadou Onana are also being monitored.

There is an additional belief within Barcelona that La Masia academy players could be a future problem but both Pau Prim and Marc Bernal aren't viewed as immediate solutions.

Barcelona are monitoring Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for a potential future move

Barcelona manager Xavi is searching to bolster his midfield in future transfer windows

Toure was loved by Barca supporters for his ability to transform defence into attack, while also chipping in with vital goals from midfield.

He spent three-years in Spain playing alongside Xavi, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta having initially joined as a relatively unknown talent during Frank Rijkaard's reign as manager.

Toure made 118 appearances for the team before going on to enjoy a hugely successful career in England where he won three Premier League titles with Man City.

Sergio Busquets occupied the long-term midfield pivot role for Barcelona but left Spain in the summer to join Messi at MLS side Inter Miami as he enters the final years of his career.